Thomas Edward Wright (born August 7, 1955) was a Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives who represented the state's eighteenth district, including constituents in New Hanover and Pender counties, from 1992 to 2008. An EMS instructor from Wilmington, North Carolina,[1] Wright was serving his eighth term in the House when he was expelled from that chamber in 2008. A jury subsequently convicted him of corruption and embezzlement, sending him to jail for a 6-8 year term.
In 2007, the North Carolina State Board of Elections launched an investigation of Wright's campaign finances. The board recommended that Wright be prosecuted. Information revealed in the board's hearings led to calls for Wright to resign.
Charges
Wright was then indicted by a Wake County grand jury "on five charges of obtaining property by false pretenses and one charge of obstruction of justice" on December 10, 2007.[2]
A House committee unanimously found probable cause to proceed on eight counts of misconduct in 2008.[3] Acting on that committee's final recommendations, the full House voted 109–5 to expel Wright on March 20, 2008. He was the first member of the House expelled since Josiah Turner in 1880.[4]
Verdict
A few weeks later, a jury found him guilty and he was sentenced to 6–8 years imprisonment. Wright was on the primary ballot to be re-elected, but was removed from the ballot as a result of his conviction; the Constitution of North Carolina, like those of most other states, does not allow convicted felons to hold office. He was released on May 27, 2014 after six years in prison.[5]
References
- ^ https://archive.org/stream/northcarolinaman20012002nort#page/602/mode/2up
- ^ "Wright indicted on six counts". newsobserver.com. 10 Dec 2007. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ^ "Probable cause on eight counts for Wright". newsobserver.com. 9 Jan 2008. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ^ Robertson, Gary (20 Mar 2008). "House votes to expel Rep. Thomas Wright". newsobserver.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ^ The Associated Press (26 May 2014). "Expelled NC House member released from prison". newsobserver.com. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
External links
- General Assembly page, with contact information, bill sponsorship and committee record
- News & Observer profile page
| North Carolina House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by District created | Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 98th district 1993–2003 | Succeeded by John W. Rhodes |
| Preceded by John W. "Bill" Hurley Mia Morris White | Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 18th district 2003–2008 | Succeeded by Sandra Hughes |